Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-10-10
FARM MANAGEMENT.
Suggestions on the Best Methods
Of Harvesting and Storing
the Potato Crop.
Securing the Potato Crop.

seems certain. This season has been |
very unfavorable for producing q
large yield or for insuring a fine
quality of tubers. 1t has been too dry
for potatoes in many parts OF the
country where most attention is given
to them. The vines are generally
small, while the hills contained but few
tubers. The extremely hot weather
during July and August interfered
With the growth of the plants below
and above the surface of the ground.
As the crop will be small. the greatest
pains should be taken in securing 1t in
the best manner possible. None of it
should be wasted by delay in securing
il. by careless methods of harvesting.
or by improper ways of storage. Po-
tatoes will be in greater demand than
during most years, for the reason that
there is scarcity of most kinds OF
garden vegetables. A poor season for
potatoes is also a poor one for beets,
carrots. turnips. and parsnips. To in
sure large yield of either OF them, a
somewhat moist season is required.
None of them will do we'll if there is a
protracted drought.
Digging potatoes should not be de-
layed till frost kills the vines and en-
dangers the tubers that are near the
surface of the ground. If small por-
ton of a potato is frozen or becomes
chillod, it is certain to decay, and in
the process of rotting it will cause all
those that come in contact with it to
decay. One rotting tuber in the bin
will cause the decay of many. They
will cause an unpleasant odor to be
given off, which will be absorbed by
the sound potatoes that do not come in
contact with it. If the digging of pOta
toes is delayed till crust freezes on the
surface of the hills, the crop is likely tC
be injured by the frost. If digging I:
DELAYED till after the heavy fall rains
occur, it will be hard and very unpleas
ant wolk. So saturated with water i:
| in a poor condition to handle. 1t stick:
to the hoe or other implement used fol
removing potatoes from the hill. ant
also adheres TO the tubers themselves
1t will remain on the potatoes and in
lure their appearance If they are sen
to market. 1t will absorb and retail
moisture after the potatoes are put II
the cellar or other place of storage
and quite likely be the means OF caus
ing them to decay.
Potatoes should remain in the groun
till they ripen, but they should not re-
main much beyond the period OF thel
maturity. The leaves fall from tn
vines shortly after the tubers ripen an
leave the ground where they grow un
shaded. II the weather is unfavorable
weeds and grass spring up on 1t an
render digging quite difficult Ii ther
: is much growing vegetation on til
ground, many of the tubers will be CT
. by the hoe or other implement employ
, ed for removing them. The weeds an
grass will also prevent the potatot
, from drying after they have been r.
, moved from the ground and prevel
Q them from being found by the picke
1 II is easier TO harvest two acres OF p'
r tatoes on land free from grass an
| weeds than one acre when the grour
8 is covered with them. If potatoes a
a cut by the hoe, as they are likely to
: when the ground where they grow
q occupied by grass and weeds, they WI
d present bad appearance and be ike
n to rot. A few cut potatoes will less
the market value of the entire lc
whether they are intended for seed
d the table.
IS III potatoes remain in the grour
:; long after the time they become rip
s they will become detached from
" stalks or the connecting tie will becor
so tender that it will not allow them
"a be withdrawn. When this is the ca
W the work of removing them from t
Is ground is greatly increased. Ii me
10 Of the tubers are drawn out with {
u vines they are said to be in perft
ut condition, while their withdrawal "
I'D make the soil so loose that it can be
of moved without difficulty. The b
I'd implement to use in taking potato
from the ground will depend on
O. condition of the soil and the skill a
experience of the digger. None OF
or potato-diggers that ate drawn
horses are economical unless the far
ne er has a large crop to harvest
IN Irishman will dig potatoes very I
yh with a spade and will not be quic
nd fatigued by its use; but the AYERS
nd American or German is not accuston
Sc to the use of the spade, and soon
IL comes very tired if he handles one
,se the potato-field. II the ground is I
tia from grass and weeds. the pronged
ith or fork is an excellent substitute
it. the common hoe in digging potatoes
IN Potatoes can remain on the surf
Ter of the ground till the sun and W
of have caused the moisture on them
of eyaporate, but they will be injured
thew remain much longer. Sunll
lat soon changes the color of the potat
and injuries their quality as articles
dy food. Potatoes that have been rec
te- ly dug have a much better flavor L
those that have been out of the gro
RS, for a considerable time. They are
rn- this respect much like most edible ro
which lose the quality known as IT
get ness by being exposed to the air.
ast. potatoes are sorted as soon as they
ack dry. and placed in barrels that
as covered with a piece of turf that
nan closely so as to exclude currents OF
ere and prevents them from becoming
go thew will retain the nutty favo
newly-dug tubers. This is an
cellent way of keeping choice
ans et:es of potatoes that are worth
ats ranking as luxuries. Potatoes exp
to currents of air will generally bee
,s is sbriyeled in the latter part OF the